Remote Sensing Soil Parameter Decision System for Crop Nutrition
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Solution Overview
Problem
The application of seed products and crop nutrition products in agricultural fields often results in unstable yield responses due to spatial variability in soil parameters, leading to inefficient use and potential negative effects in certain areas, thereby affecting the return on investment and potentially contaminating irrigation channels and groundwater.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that collects remotely-sensed data to determine soil parameters across a field, uses a prediction model to forecast yield responses, and decides on targeted application of seed products and crop nutrition products based on these parameters, ensuring application only where a positive effect is expected, thereby optimizing resource use and reducing waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If seed product and/or crop nutrition product is applied uniformly across the entire field, then the application process is simple and quick, but the yield response becomes unstable and resources are wasted in areas where the product is not effective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by determining soil parameters at multiple specific locations across the field and using this spatially-resolved information to guide product application. Different zones within the field receive different treatment decisions based on their specific soil characteristics, ensuring that each location receives appropriate management rather than uniform application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by collecting remotely-sensed data and determining soil parameters before the actual product application takes place. This advance characterization of field conditions allows the system to pre-determine optimal application locations and rates, enabling informed decision-making prior to treatment rather than reactive uniform application.
2Productivity
If seed product and/or crop nutrition product is applied in all areas of the field, then maximum potential yield is pursued, but resource requirements increase and environmental contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by determining that product application is not needed in all field areas - only in specific locations where soil parameters indicate a positive yield response is expected. The system intentionally withholds application in areas where it would be ineffective, applying the product to only the necessary portion of the field rather than blanket coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by measuring multiple soil parameters (moisture, temperature, electrical conductivity) at different locations and using these varying parameters to dynamically determine application decisions. The treatment strategy is adjusted based on the specific parameter values observed at each location, enabling precise control over where and how much product is applied.
3Reliability
If soil parameters are not considered in the application decision, then the application process is straightforward, but the return on investment becomes negative due to improper application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using a decision support system that integrates remotely-sensed data, soil parameter measurements, and prediction models to provide informed application recommendations. The system continuously evaluates field conditions and adjusts application decisions based on this feedback loop, ensuring that treatment is applied only where soil conditions indicate effectiveness rather than following fixed protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary decision support system that acts as a mediator between the physical field conditions and the product application process. This intermediary layer processes soil parameter data and prediction model outputs to generate treatment recommendations, bridging the gap between raw measurements and actionable application decisions without requiring direct complex interactions between all system components.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If targeted application based on soil parameters is implemented, then resource use is optimized and environmental contamination is reduced, but the complexity of data collection and analysis increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/physical data collection methods with remote sensing technology. Instead of manual soil sampling and laboratory analysis, the system uses remotely-sensed data collection to obtain soil parameter information across the field, significantly reducing the physical complexity and labor involved in data acquisition while enabling broader spatial coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
In order to achieve a more effective application of a seed product and/or crop nutrition product, a computer-implemented method is provided for applying a seed product of at least one crop and/or applying crop nutrition product to at least one crop in a field. The method comprises the steps of collecting remotely-sensed data of the field before an application of the seed product and/or crop nutrition product in the field, determining, based on the collected remotely-sensed data, at least one soil parameter at a plurality of locations in the field, generating, for each of the plurality of locations, a predicted yield response to the application of the seed product and/or crop nutrition product for the at least one crop based on the at least one determined soil parameter and a prediction model, wherein the prediction model is parametrized or trained based on a sample set including a plurality of different values of the at least one soil parameter and associated yield responses for the at least one crop under the application of the seed product and/or crop nutrition product, deciding, for each of the plurality of locations in the field, whether to treat or not based on the predicted yield response, and outputting information indicative of the decision useable to activate at least one treatment device to comply with the decision.